Understanding how some cancer cells survive treatment in blood cancers
Official title: Mechanisms of natural killer cell resistance of treatment-persistent residual tumor cells in hematologic malignancies
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11003354 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some cancer cells in blood cancers, like acute myeloid leukemia, stick around even after treatment, which can cause patients to relapse, and it aims to find new ways to target these stubborn cells by understanding how they interact with the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $362,793 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276156-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003354 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia or other hematologic malignancies who have persistent residual disease after treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been diagnosed with blood cancers or those who have no residual disease after treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates why certain cancer cells in blood cancers, like acute myeloid leukemia, continue to survive despite treatment. It focuses on treatment-persistent residual disease (TPRD), which can lead to relapses in patients. By studying the biology of these resistant cells and their interactions with natural killer (NK) cells, the research aims to uncover new therapeutic vulnerabilities. The approach includes advanced techniques like CRISPR to identify factors that help these cells evade immune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively eliminate resistant cancer cells, reducing the risk of relapse for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding cancer cell resistance mechanisms, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mitsiades, Constantine S. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Mitsiades, Constantine S.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.